A managed report and an ad hoc report have their own set of benefits that can be highly advantageous for businesses. The type of report you choose depends on the needs of your business. So, what’s the difference between the two? Keep reading this helpful guide to find out.
What is an ad hoc report?
An ad hoc report is a type of report that is created on the fly in response to a specific request from someone within the organization. Ad hoc reports are not pre-planned or scheduled and are typically less formal than other types of reports. They may be used to provide information on a specific topic or issue or to answer specific questions from management.
Ad hoc reports are often created using data already available within the organization’s databases or software applications. However, they may also be compiled by extracting data from various sources, such as external databases or websites. Once the data is collected, it is typically organized and presented in a way that makes it easy to understand and use.
Ad hoc reporting can be useful for quickly obtaining information on specific topics or issues. However, it can also be time-consuming and labor-intensive since it often requires gathering data from multiple sources and then compiling it into a usable format. Additionally, ad hoc reports may not be as reliable or accurate as pre-planned managed reports.
What is a managed report?
A managed report is a report that is pre-built and maintained by an organization’s reporting and business intelligence (BI) staff or software. Managed reports are typically delivered to users in a pre-defined format and may or may not be customizable. Using managed reports can save users time and effort in creating reports and ensure that reports are consistent in format and content. However, users may not be able to customize managed reports to their specific needs, and the reports may not be timely or up-to-date.
How do ad hoc reports differ from managed reports?
There are several critical differences between ad hoc and managed to report. The most notable difference is the level of formality and structure. Ad hoc reports are typically less formal and more flexible, while managed reports are more formal and structured. Additionally, ad hoc reports generally are smaller in scope and less detailed than managed reports. They are also typically less standardized, meaning that the formatting and structure of the reports may vary from one report to the next. Managed reports, on the other hand, are more standardized. This ensures that all reports are formatted and structured consistently, making them easier to read and analyze.
Another key difference between ad hoc and managed reporting is who generates the reports. Ad hoc reports are typically generated by end users, while managed reports are typically generated by IT professionals. This is because ad hoc reports are typically less formal and structured than managed reports. They are also smaller in scope, which makes them less daunting for end users to generate. Managed reports, on the other hand, are more formal and more structured. This makes them better suited for use by IT professionals.
Finally, ad hoc and managed reporting differ in terms of overall purpose. Ad hoc reports are typically used to generate reports on an as-needed basis. This means they generate reports for specific purposes, such as answering a question or investigating a particular issue. In contrast, managed reports are typically used to generate pre-defined reports regularly. This means they are used to create reports that provide an overview of key business metrics.
Overall, ad hoc and managed reporting are two very different reporting methods. Ad hoc reporting is typically more informal and less structured, while managed reporting is more formal and more structured. Additionally, ad hoc reports are typically smaller in scope and less detailed than managed reports. They are also typically less standardized, making them less reliable and useful for business analysis. Managed reports, on the other hand, are more formal and more structured. They are also more standardized, making them more reliable and valuable for business analysis.
How do I know when to use which report?
The two types of reports serve different purposes, so it’s important to understand when to use each. An ad hoc report is designed to help you answer a specific question or question. You build it by selecting the data you want to include and the layout you want to use. Ad hoc reports are useful when you need to quickly get information that isn’t readily available from other sources. A managed report is a pre-defined report that someone in your organization has created and made available for you. It includes the data and the layout you need, so all you have to do is run it. Managed reports are helpful when you need to generate the same report regularly or when you need to share the report with other people.
Overall, ad hoc reports are generally more flexible since you can change the layout and structure as needed. However, a managed report is typically more organized and easier to read. The report format you choose depends on your business needs.
